And 6 months later you can do it all over again as it will gradually turn back to the natural Ti color with even the slightest wear and tear. ;)

That's why I don't think I should actually use it. It's pretty, but I don't trust it to stay that way if it gets used. If it's anodized like I think it is, the finish won't be very durable. The FW3A gets used a lot though -- more than any other light I have.

oK I've had it .... having to listen to you talk about your many Fw3A's has made me a bit crazy ..

I'm going to start talking about my imaginary Fw3a and how much I like it ...I think the one Fritz sent me in raw form is the nicest. I like it better than the Titanium one he just sent ..

I think the one Fritz sent me in raw form is the nicest. I like it better than the Titanium one he just sent ..

You’ve got something pretty special there. I think only you, Fritz, and CRX have anything like it… and CRX had to build it from scratch. I agree though, that it’s better than the titanium FW3T. Titanium is heavier and doesn’t handle heat well, and the threads are gritty. So even though it looks good, it’s not as nice to carry.

I have some anodized titanium knives. Both factory ZT’S in bronze ano and others with custom design anodization by Whitty @ USAMadeBlades and the ano holds up very well. I’m definitely harder on knives than I am lights and have yet to see any signs of ano waring off after over a year of literally every single day carry.

Don’t knock it till you try it. Worst case, flame color it to bring the design back (albeit a different color) or send it back to Whitty for custom laser anodization (he’ll do whatever, not just knives)

—

RIP SPC Joey Riley, KIA 11/24/14. Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.

Ive decided that one of the lights Im ordering is going to go on the bench first thing. I want to convert one to a single emitter (Maybe XM-L2 U3-3D) with a TIR optic. I wonder if anyone makes an optic shallow enough to work…or even an orange peal reflector… Dont get me wrong, I like multi-emitter lights, but for daily tasks I DO prefer a single emitter (nevermind my D4 has been living in my pocket more than my 18350 S2+ with moonlight driver)

Anyone else have any thoughts on a single emitter version of this project?

I would have liked a round of FW3CA = CuAl but Aluminum Bronze has a bad thermal conductivity.
Yellow (gold-like coloration) like brass but has also a good corrosion resistance.
I don’t know how it smells in a sweaty palm, but i will prefere aluminum bronze over brass, despite a worst thermal conductivity, if it doesn’t smell funny.
Depending of the alloy, can be heat treated to be hardened.

Ive decided that one of the lights Im ordering is going to go on the bench first thing. I want to convert one to a single emitter (Maybe XM-L2 U3-3D) with a TIR optic. I wonder if anyone makes an optic shallow enough to work…or even an orange peal reflector… Dont get me wrong, I like multi-emitter lights, but for daily tasks I DO prefer a single emitter (nevermind my D4 has been living in my pocket more than my 18350 S2+ with moonlight driver)

Anyone else have any thoughts on a single emitter version of this project?

cabfrank wrote:

I would like a single emitter version, far ahead in the future. For now i am just waiting for one of these. I do think it will be a great size and weight for one emitter though.

I must agree. I’m excited for the triple FW3A, but I have a preference for more usable outdoor beams and would be all over a more throwy version of this flashlight. A FW1A with a narrow-ish TIR and a single emitter (hopefully something like an SST-20 or XP-L HI) would be divine.
Of course, this is just a pipe dream and we need to get the actual FW3A released first!

Yes, this one first! I do think when and if it is a huge success, there will be a single emitter down the road though. I say this largely because, if I remember right, TK mentioned she would like one as well.

I'm # 1033 on list and had originally requested one, then asked to add another (2 total) a couple of weeks ago, looking at the 2nd "people" column I just see a 1 next to my name. So sorry to be a PITA, just getting excited for this one and want to make sure I'm down for two.

Thank you so much to whoever is keeping the list updated, that can't be a fun job. I'm drinking a beer in your honor as we speak.

I’m # 1033 on list and had originally requested one, then asked to add another (2 total) a couple of weeks ago, looking at the 2nd “people” column I just see a 1 next to my name. So sorry to be a PITA, just getting excited for this one and want to make sure I’m down for two.

You asked for your second light on Jan 29th. The last update to the list was on Jan 28th.

JasonWW wrote:

If your not sure when the list was last updated, just click the last name on the list. You will go to the request and see the date and time.

A single emitter often delivers nicer tint at low levels, and it generally gives a very different beam pattern with more throw. It’s also generally cheaper, easier to mod, and less prone to heat issues. However, it may end up longer due to a deeper reflector, and the maximum output would be lower.

With triples and quads being so popular lately, I kind of miss single-emitter lights. Both are good, but in different ways.

I personally have always had a preference for single emitter flashlights. I can appreciate that flood is nice indoors, but I like my EDC to be capable of throwing a bit when I’m outdoors too. I love my Emisar D4, but in order to see a decent distance ahead of me outside I need to crank the output up to the point where battery life is terrible and it’s uncomfortably warm to hold. I’ve actually taken to carrying a Convoy S2+ recently due to how much more throwy it is at reasonable output levels. The best balance I have ever found before is probably the TIR on the Olight batons. Wide enough for indoor use, but throwy enough for some basic outdoor use.

If the FW had to be made longer to accomodate a reflector, I’d be fine with that too. Narrow width is everything in an EDC light, and the FW3A is already very short in length. Even if the head couldn’t get any thinner with a single emiter, I don’t think a slightly longer head would have much of an impact on pocketability.